Mas Systems Supernova to Dreamcast Controller Converter Box

First of all...

I am making a small controller converter so neo-geo old style and mas systems neo style arcade sticks can be hooked up to this... but this is all I have done now....

Next, I would like to explain why I'm doing this. Of course you can get a Dreamcast adapter built right in your Mas systems arcade stick, but it costs $35. I didn't get this done to my arcade sticks when I bought my supernova, so for me it would cost $35 each plus shipping both ways which would definitely add up as these things are heavy. I would guess that for me to get both of these done including shipping, it would cost over $100 at least. So, I decided to make my own....

Parts:

1 Dreamcast controller with a worn-out d-pad (Free, but I'm sure you can find a used one that's in pretty bad shape for under $5)...(no need to ruin a good controller)

1 project box from radio shack ($7)

Parts for faceplate and back washer ($3)

Total: $10-$15 each, depending if you have any controller's laying around that you've played into the ground.

Not to mention, that it only took about 45 minutes total with the help of my girlfriend getting the wires ready.

I have just been tired of not having a good arcade stick to for my Dreamcast and had time for a small project.

So, here we go....


Here is a picture of everything you need, excluding the rubber plumbing washer and two small metal washers for the faceplate screws.


Here is what the faceplate is made out of. I chose to make a faceplate because it makes cutting the whole out of the plastic easier and it doesn't have to be as perfect.


Here is the end result of the faceplate.


Here's the controller all wired up and I left the VMU holder on there for something to superglue down to the bottom of the box so the controller stays securely in place. Also, if you would like to keep a VMU in there you can do so. I didn't because...well, I am running low on VMU's...lol



A close-up of the controller all wired up. There is one mistake in this picture, being the a button wired to a spot below the button place. It is for the light kick button and had two be rewired to a new spot between the button and the pinhole directly above the button itself. As you can see in the picture, on the actual controller, the wire is soldered below the button if you are holding the controller in your hands. Other than that everything worked on the first try.



Here is the finished product.


Here is what you get to play with.



Sorry if this isn't extremely detailed on how to go about putting it together but I have a lot to do. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Yeah, it's kind of big... but it saved me a good amount of money and works as a six-foot controller extension as well

Not to be gay or anything, but Ngt is a man of my own heart

I built 3 Neo Geo-> dreamcast converters so I undertand the time that this takes to plan out.

couple of questions (I know nothing about MAS sticks).

How did you wire the L + R triggers...???
-Doesn't the L + R use a 3.3v common???????

I was messing around with the l+R triggers and blew the port fuse so I decided to scrap them less blow another one.

I didn't need the L+R triggers anyhow since the neo stick is only 5 buttons.

Well, as for the triggers, I attach a wire to the top left corner of that little black thing on the controller and the only thing that happens is when I hit the button it sends a signal to that corner which is exactly where the Dreamcast trigger would send its signal.

(love them tech terms )

I made an arcade stick for my Dreamcast and did the exact same thing......

If you look at the close-up picture of the controller wired you can see on the far left and right sides the 3 button and the 6 button a wired to those little black chips and not to any pinhole or anything...

When making my arcade stick, I blew out my controller ports as well messing with pinhole's and now I refuse to even touch them. I go straight to the board and those little black chips and that's it.

It works great by the way!

I built 3 Neo Geo-> dreamcast converters so I undertand the time that this takes to plan out.

Click to expand...

Well it took a bit of time with my first arcade stick, but I put this converter together in about 45 minutes

Although I'd prefer the massystems mod, this looks good.
What are the chances of doing one with a mem car
slot and everything?

I'll have to check out your method as have been using a 3rd party controller that has huge solder points.......

I used this today to kick my bro's ass in Soul Caliber.... Used my Aes Stick.







What size project case did you use and where did you get it?.... All the ones i saw at radio ShaQ were to small or awkward.... Please don't tell me HSC we don't have one here.

Yours are very nice indeed!! I don't think standard DC controllers would fit in there, but I love the streamlined look!

I used the 7 by 5 by 3 project box at RadioShack but most likely could have removed the member a cardholder and glued the triggers to the bottom of the box.... and fit it all in a 6 by 4 by 2 box....


As for putting the memory card slots on the actual box, it would take a little bit of extra work, some filing and most likely placing the 25pin socket on one of the ends.... but easily could be done with an extra hour or so of doctoring and securing the controller right against the wall.

IMO, it would be a lot easier to just put a regular Dreamcast controller in the third or fourth controller port and use the memory card that way. Of course, they would look cooler being able to plug the VMU right into the side. It's definitely something to think about.

On my original model, I had cut a square holein the side of the box so the VMU could be inserted. It Didn't look all that hot tho.

Also I cut off the top VMU rack with some cutters....

I would probably try to mount it in the side. I could drill to extra holes in the top and bottom and slide some long screws through some plastic spacers that would hold the controller tightly up against the edge so you could insert and take out the memory card without worrying about jerking around the controller boards too much.


I still think it would be easier just to plug a regular controller into the third or fourth control port and use the memory card that way....

... but any things possible as long as it's thought through before just getting holes in the box,lol...

xtoo_short20x said:

Although I'd prefer the massystems mod, this looks good.
What are the chances of doing one with a mem car
slot and everything?

Click to expand...

Don't you find that device way too "measly" and "unoriginal"?

For we used to this stuff, I really like the design of this adaptor. I didn't know then MAS stick used a DB25 as a cable.

This reminds me I need to correct the old controller modding thread and add this post.

Yeah that's the other thing i Do..... use 4th controller....

I beleive that a few of the SNK games only read off contrller 1 or 2....

^^ I didn't know that.... so I guess my next one will have a memory card slot..... or at least a built-in memory card.